Heavy Things

by J.G. Finch, Wonoh Massaquoi (Editor)

From Heavy things:

SHE KISSED A DYING OAK TREE

She slowly grew on him, surrounding his body with brown mold and green moss.
He can’t escape her detachment, her selfless embrace. Her love is only needed from one time to another, like one plant from another, growing and then dying.

And what was that he hoped for but could never find while he was alive?
Some type of love with attachment? She broke him moistly and slowly, piece by piece, while his body sunk deeper into her wet body as the sun and rain touched him.

Right before he died he heard the voice of her, “Shhh, my child, who thinks so highly of himself.”
“You come into me, and I will use you as you are needed! Broken, back into my body, back under my streams of water, back into the cold, soft soil, back where you were born.
You will be used as food for my small creatures. You will be used to fertilize the gardens of my skin.
The tulips in autumn, the dandelions in spring, they all wait to rise and see the rays of the sun just as you did.”

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2017

About the author

Justin Garfield Daniels known as J.G. Finch is an African American poet from the south who is known for his beautiful and tearful poetry. He received reviews from well known artist from his book of poems called Heavy Things. J.G. Finch is a brilliant poet. His poems tell a story, having all of them start with a beginning, climax and ending. Two of his pieces were accepted in the 2019 Altadena review.

Family background: J.G. Finch comes from a family of educators. Father was professor, therapist and preacher.

Upbringing: J.G. Finch was raised in Tennessee and Texas.

Interesting fact about author: J.G. Finch is autistic.
Finch has a fascination with birds hence, his pen name Finch.

Reviews

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed J.G. Finch's "Heavy Things". I really liked that he used some of the more traditional poetic forms and did not rely entirely on abstract formats (Though he is quite skilled at both). The poetry is very visual and helps readers picture a lot of the imagery in their mind. I really liked "Following Sandra in New Orleans". I also enjoyed the simplicity of "Dancing in Los Angeles". The author is quite talented and I would not hesitate to read more of his work. I would recommend his work to others who enjoy poetry, especially with an urban theme.

My copy of this book was won from the Goodreads website and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.

[Warrior]

The artistic skill of J.G. Finch is best displayed in my two favorite poems of his: Witch's defeat and Following Sandra in New Orleans. His poems are so artfully narrated with such vivid imagery that you cease being a mere spectator. You are drawn in, caught up into the scene—You are there; slowly you find that you are enjoying the beauty of the view so much that you don't even see what is just around the corner. You think it's one thing, but suddenly, to your surprise, you realize it is something else— something quite unexpected. The metaphoric allusions are so alluring and detailed that you mistake them for the literal, until you realize you were fooled all along. You were set up for the “ah ha” moment. Then you smile. Clever, you think—and therein lies the artistry of J.G. Finch.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.G. Finch is his own poet. His poetry ranges from dark to convoluted to brilliant, but never lacks raw emotion and his sincere and simple truth. Finch takes his audience on a journey of love and pain and everything in between. His poems remain interesting, yet accessible to everyone.

[Frank Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an AWSOME collection of poems..........

I enjoy reading in small doses and with these poems I can sit down and read a couple or even just one at a time and it takes me away from my world into a land of chance encounters and vivid descriptions of all of life wild and wooly excitements as well as its harsher sadness. Theres a real wealth of different imagery and one of my personal favorites is----- God Like the Gray Sky------ "To keep this Dream going is to keep walking, keep moving, keep struggling forward..........

This is a wonderfully crafted collection of poems that I reach for each night and I'm definitely looking forward to J.G. Finch's future works.......

--Frankie--

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved poetry and recently over the last few years have become more and more spellbound by it. I am always excited with the opportunity to read new authors.

This collection of poems by J.G. Finch is just so truly beautiful, full of raw emotion, heart ache, pain, love, fascination with the world. The vivid and intense words on each page just took me away to another place and I loved it. Readers of this book will experience real emotions, whether it be painful or pleasant.

Highly recommend, and look forward to more books in the future! Yay!

[Corissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always keep a journal if things I think while I am reading, these are thoughts I wrote down while reading Heavy Things...
It is complex and simple.
It is sadness.
It is lonely.
It is sinning and believing.
It is real.
It is a prayer.

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I am glad I was one of the people to get this book. Beautiful.

[Louie Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern poets tend to try and be as cerebral as possible, which I hate. J.G. Finch on the other-hand writes with simplistic truth. His poems are daring, touching and beautiful. Thank you for letting me see the world with your filter, thank you for your honesty, this is truly art

[Joseph Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never really been into poetry, but as I delved more and more into this book I discovered a few poems that I did like. I really liked "The coming of winter" which reminded me of childhood winters, and "Rules for birds" which had a twist at the end. Overall a pretty good read.

[Marla Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This book is very deep and truly heavy.
J.G. Finch took me into his world and opened my eyes. Left me with a perspective I have not experienced. Hauntingly beautiful.

[Ian Yarington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have such a hard time reviewing poetry books because I don't think I ever got a good enough lesson on them to fully grasp their structure. I can say however, I enjoyed reading this book, I thought it was very well done and I would certainly recommend it to anyone that enjoys poetry.

[Pamela N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I was raised reading Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, and even Poe, my tastes are inclined more towards the classical. So when I read modern creations I include a correction for my bias, as the rules are different. My experience in reading "Heavy Things" was of tenderness, gentility without sappiness, manliness with depth, sensitivity with strength. These poems appear to be the observations of a man who loves, and who has been hurt, but not flawed. He does not seek vengenge, but to be understood, and to gain understanding. The writer sound affable and sincere. So , I enjoyed reading all of these poems.

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This is a beautiful collection of poetry, that I will definitely be rereading. Each poem was an emotional delight to read, I especially loved Noelani Awaits.

[Sakae Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful, often poignant read about life's struggles, causes for celebration, and about one man's journey to find answers. I often pick it up to reread a specific piece, which is what I generally enjoy about poetry books. "Country Me" is one of my go to poems with its reminders about a simpler time before we all took on being grown. "Hopes of Sunshine" is another view into love from the outside looking in, which is what makes Finch's work worth reading. His observations about life, interspersed with his own challenges are hopeful despite the darkness that sometimes surrounds his circumstances. Heavy Things is definitely a bedside book I pick up when wanting to read some thoughtful work before sleep.

[Jorge Saenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. G. Finch’s poems is a wonderful journey of abstract and paradoxical experiences which captivate the reader into reading and re-reading the passages to ascertain its full meaning. Full of raw emotion yet kind and loving in many instances. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend this work.

[Tek Nath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. I keep reading it over and over again. Beautiful poems.

[Narayan Khadka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book But very sad.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this from Goodreads. This is a poetry book but very unlike poetry I have read. The author grew up in the South so his poems reflect this. It is a bit sad for my taste.